The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman
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Web ID: 60184334 stars
THE RULES OF MAGIC by Alice Hoffman I liked this so much more than Magic Lessons or Practical Magic. The characters felt familiar and like new friends. This isn’t just a story about witches and magic, it’s about family, of siblings and the people we meet along the way who leave a lasting impact on our lives and hearts. The plot covers a large chunk of time (1950s to the Vietnam war) and settings (New York, Massachusetts to France and Germany), but all the characters and their storylines were memorable and held my interest all the way through. While I wasn’t fond of Vincent’s early years (I feel his experiences as a teen were glossed over), I love and appreciate the representation and was satisfied with his storyline. At times I thought this was too sad and bleak (Jet and Levi - my heart!), but the end saved it for me. Yes, there’s magic and curses involved, but most of it was relatable and realistic. Recommend for all my fellow witches! Rating: 4/5 ⭐️
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Absolutely loved it
I enjoyed this book. I thought it was well written. I also love it is the prequel to practical magic. Gives more insight to the family. I loved it and will definitely read more of her books.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Sad,sad,sad,
I seem to be the exception but in spite of wonderful reviews by critics and readers, this story was too tragic and lacked any endearing qualities. With the world magic in the title, shouldn't there be some magic? The rules turned out to be based solely on one persons life experiences which were then passed down through the generations.. Prejudice existed but once again only to add some life to the storyline.
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
a must read
It was always clear that siblings Franny, Jet, and Vincent Owens were different from other children. Raised in New York City, they grow up with no knowledge of their family's long history in Masscusetts or the curse Maria Owens cast in 1620 that changed the family trajectory forever. Instead, determined to keep the truth of their family--and themselves--from her children for as long as possible, their mother sets down rules: no walking in the moonlight, no Ouija boards, no candles, no red shoes, no wearing black, no going shoeless, no amulets, no night-blooming flowers, no reading novels about magic, no cats, no crows, no venturing below Fourteenth Street. But even with all these rules, the children were still unusual. At the start of the 1960s, the New York branch of the Owens family finally returns to the family home. And that changes everything. Meeting Aunt Isabelle for the first time, it starts to feel like Franny, Jet, and Vincent are meeting themselves for the first time. In a world where magic is suddenly everywhere, it seems like anything is possible--especially falling in love. But as they learn more about their family blunt and stubborn Franny, beautiful and dreamy Jet, and charismatic troublemaker Vincent will all realize no one can escape love no matter how much they might want to in The Rules of Magic (2017) by Alice Hoffman. The Rules of Magic is a prequel to Hoffman's now classic novel Practical Magic. This novel focuses on Sally and Gillian's aunts Franny and Jet when they were young women first discovering their magic and can be read on its own with only minor spoilers for Practical Magic. The story is told by an omniscient third person narrator with a close focus on Franny, Jet, and Vincent. The Owens family and all major characters are assumed white. Hoffman perfectly captures the heady effervescence of the 1960s when the Owens family--and the country--are on the cusp of big changes. While The Rules of Magic does return to the family home in Massachusetts and even spends some time in France, the bulk of this novel is set in New York City as Franny, Jet, and Vincent come of age and come to terms with their magical abilities and the family curse. Set in Greenwich Village (specifically 44 Greenwich Street!), the novel explores cultural touchstones including the Stonewall riots and the Vietnam draft through the eyes of the Owens siblings. Readers familiar with Hoffman's work will recognize the lyrical style and looping narrator that slowly builds to a dramatic conclusion that will have a lasting impact for the entire Owens family. Although all three siblings play a major role in the story, the novel primarily focuses on Franny as she shifts from obstinate eldest daughter to the matriarch of the family. Franny's role in the family is pivotal but if, like me, you find her (and her love interest Haylin) the least interesting member of the family some of this novel will feel especially slow. The Rules of Magic perfectly captures the strange alchemy that makes New York City--especially Greenwich Village--so special while also expanding the Owens saga and the larger family story in interesting directions; a must read for fans of the series and an appropriate entry point to those new to the series. Possible Pairings: Our Crooked Hearts by Melissa Albert, Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen, The Nature of Witches by Rachel Griffin, The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow, The Careful Undressing of Love by Corey Ann Haydu, The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe, Vanessa Yu's Magical Paris Tea Shop by Roselle Lim, The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna, Don't Date Rosa Santos by Nina Moreno, In the Shadow Garden by Liz Parker, Just Kids by Patti Smith, Among Others by Jo Walton
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Compelling, Original, Delightful with Life Lessons
If you read Alice Hoffman’s Practical Magic series in chronological order (as any left brained person like me WOULD), this is #2. And I loved every page. At the start of THE RULES OF MAGIC, it’s the mid 20th century where descendants of seventeenth century Maria Owens and John Hathorne (from MAGIC LESSONS - book #1 in the series) are coming to terms with their familial history, uniqueness, and individual powers. Three siblings (Franny, Jet, and Vincent) are being raised in New York City by parents trying their best to provide a normal upbringing. But these are no ordinary teens. When given the opportunity, they spend the summer at the centuries-old family homestead in Massachusetts, under the much more relaxed supervision of their Aunt Isabelle. She is much more comfortable with the family heritage. And more familiar with the family curse. This novel follows the three siblings throughout their lives, incorporating the secondary story of their cousin, April, and weaving in a number of actual historical events (Moon Landing, Stonewall Riot, Draft Lottery, Vietnam War, etc.). There’s plenty of action: love and love denied, betrayals and shunning neighbors, illegitimate children and sudden death, and lots of spells, potions and magic. It’s a truly fun read but also one that is unpredictable and suspenseful, about people you will come to care deeply about. And many authentically human life lessons about love, loyalty, and family. And then there’s this quote from the author’s Introduction to PRACTICAL MAGIC: “This is a book about magic, but more importantly, it’s an ode to sisterhood and family, and to the power of love.” I’m now on to PRACTICAL MAGIC (Book #3 in the series).
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Unfulfilled potentail; story doesn't go anywhere
At first, this book seemed like a slow build. Then I found out it wasn't building anything. This is a prequel, so we know Franny, Jet and their brother aren't going to solve the Owens' curse, but couldn't Hoffman have given them SOMETHING to do instead of just hang around? Hoffman had a huge opportunity to write a story about striking a balance between avoiding pain and seeking love, all against the background of witches in Greenwich Village in the Summer of Love and Vietnam War. Instead, we get neat little details that look like foreshadowing but don't end up being important. Why does their mother not let them wear red shoes? We never find out. What is their mother's big secret? Nothing interesting. The idea that "first do no harm" means the brother has an extra reason to avoid being drafted could have been cool, but so little grounding on magic was provided that it's emotionally hollow.
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Another charming read
The Rules of Magic is a prequel in Alice Hoffman’s Practical Magic series. It is June 1960 when the Owens siblings, Frances, Bridget and Vincent, leave New York to spend summer for the first time with their Aunt Isabelle in the Magnolia Street house in Massachusetts. Their parents are resigned to this, but neither is pleased. Susanna has done her utmost to steer her children towards a normal life, and away from all things magical, but prohibition has been ineffective. Even at fourteen years old, Vincent accepts that they are different, having sought out a copy of the banned Magus downtown. He freely shares his musical talents, but hides his clairvoyance, disturbed enough by it to resort to alcohol, and later ventures into the darker side of his craft. When April Owens, their eighteen-year-old, rebellious second (or third or fifth) cousin, turns up at Magnolia Street, the sisters are wary, but the connection with Vincent can’t be denied. It’s clear that his sisters have gifts too: seventeen-year-old Franny has an uncanny connection to birds; sixteen-year-old Jet can almost always tell what people are thinking. Vincent suggests his older sisters acknowledge what they are. Aunt Isabelle counsels that to deny who you are only brings unhappiness. By the time they leave Aunt Isabelle’s, Franny has read Mary Owens’s diary and knows about the curse that afflicts all members of the Owens family: Ruination for any man who fell in love with them. Each of the siblings starts out determined not to inflict this on anyone, but how can you control falling in love? Besides which, one of the rules of magic from Aunt Isabelle’s Grimoire said “Fall in love whenever you can.” Jet falls for Levi with tragic and far-reaching consequences, and life changes radically for the siblings. Vincent’s lover is someone who understands the curse and is ready to accept what fate throws their way. When Franny finally acquiesces to the love she has been denying for years, her lover has a clever plan to fool the curse. Set against the backdrop of the sixties: the Summer of Love, drugs, the Monterey Pop Festival, the draft, Hoffman tells the story of those amazing aunts who played such an important role in the lives of Sally and Gillian in Practical Magic. And what a marvellous tale it is: another enchanting story of family and love and magic. The characters are appealing and often a bit quirky, the romance is delightful and the magic fun. Hoffman gives her characters wise words and insightful observations about life. The prequel Magic Lessons, which tells Maria Owens story, is eagerly awaited. Another charming read.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Marvelous
It was so great to read about the Owens family again and have it be about the aunts and their brother. Very good read.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com